If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis)

3/16/02 Winter plumage
 Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, Orange County, CA 
2/3/02 Winter plumage
Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, Imperial County, CA

4/19/03 Coming into summer plumage
San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Riverside County, CA
10/22/02 Mono Lake, off Mono Lake access area, Eastern Sierra, Mono County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Eared Grebe

SPECIES: Podiceps nigricollis

FAMILY: Podicipedidae (Grebes)

LIFE LIST DATE: 2/3/2002

LOCATION: Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, Imperial County, CA

From Kaufman Focus Guide-Birds of North America:

HABITAT/BEHAVIOR: On ponds and lakes in the west, often very common, nesting in colonies and wintering in large flocks. Rare visitor to the east. 

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 12 1/2"; summer plumage known by black neck, buffy-gold "ears" on side of black head. Winter plumage like horned but duller, dingier, with darker cheeks, gray on neck, whitish ear patches near back of head. Bill thinner, slightly upturned; head more peaked. 

VOICE: Breeding calls include a soft pooeep and a louder hikarikup, hikarikup. Generally quiet during winter. 
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